Euro 2024 Discussion

[Shogun]

As critical as I am of him as a coach, Southgate has undoubtedly done a lot of good things as England manager. I think in terms of the performances on the pitch, the feeling going into the tournament along with the fans and media reactions towards him and the team during the tournament then this was probably one tournament too far for him and this group of players.

Euro 2020, particularly in the knockout stages, felt a lot more cohesive and making the final was absolutely a concerted from everybody involved from the players to the fans to the coaching staff and including Southgate. This time, it felt the players got Southgate to a final. The Bellingham last minute overhead kick against Slovakia, the late goal & penalties against Switzerland and even Watkins late on against Netherlands. These are teams England should be strong favourites to beat and it took great individual moments from players to get through.

Even the final against Spain... The team that really pushed them in this tournament was Germany who, whether it's frowned upon or not, stood up the test and used their physicality to push Spain back and were a minute away from at least getting to a penalty shootout against them. England last night looked like a lower league premier league side going away to a big 6 team, they paid them far too much respect and basically let them do what they wanted.

If you're going to win international tournaments then whether it comes down the coach, the tactics or any other means, the team needs to have a lot more personality and belief in how good they are than what we've seen from England in the last few weeks. This has to be the end of Southgate with the national team and whoever they appoint is going to have to get these players believing that they're the best team in a tournament.

[AjaxAndy]

We had a plan of what to do without the ball yesterday but it seemed like no plan once we had it. We all knew Spain would press like mad, so what was the idea to bypass this because it felt like there wasn't one.

Foden also seemed to be playing very high up with Kane instead of deeper and getting the ball which would have helped massively.

Before he made any subs I said to my kid that even bringing on Toney and Watkins for Kane and Foden would be a way to beat the press... Watkins on the left, balls ups to Tony's chest, lay it off to Watkins and you're up the pitch. Like Moyes with Fellaini.

Nope, literally no plan to beat the press and the subs didn't really impact in this regard, albeit Palmer scored a great goal.

Again just tactically weak when it mattered.

[cassius]

We had a plan of what to do without the ball yesterday but it seemed like no plan once we had it. We all knew Spain would press like mad, so what was the idea to bypass this because it felt like there wasn't one.

Foden also seemed to be playing very high up with Kane instead of deeper and getting the ball which would have helped massively.

Before he made any subs I said to my kid that even bringing on Toney and Watkins for Kane and Foden would be a way to beat the press... Watkins on the left, balls ups to Tony's chest, lay it off to Watkins and you're up the pitch. Like Moyes with Fellaini.

Nope, literally no plan to beat the press and the subs didn't really impact in this regard, albeit Palmer scored a great goal.

Again just tactically weak when it mattered.

I thought we looked a different team when Kane came off. We had the ball higher up, looked dangerous and more cohesive, scored, but then dropped deep like they did in the group games and let Spain come on to them again.

[Cereal Killer]

I thought we looked a different team when Kane came off. We had the ball higher up, looked dangerous and more cohesive, scored, but then dropped deep like they did in the group games and let Spain come on to them again.

We only ever went for it after going behind throughout the whole tournament. Just what happens when the mindset is clearly “must not lose” rather than trying to win

In four 90 minute knockout games, we led for a total of 2 minutes injury time against Netherlands and that’s it

[TheRam]

I get the impression something will come out about Bellingham and him being an issue in the camp.

His attitude just seemed really off for me.

Constant moaning at players, the refs, the bench hitting the deck everytime he lost the ball, “who else”, doing too much with the ball and not linking with his teammates.

A lot of maturing needs to be done there.

[Bluedylan1]

Quite an interesting, nuanced take on the situation from the Ramble gentlemen -

[weimaranerblues]

In the early days Southgate had nothing to lose , anything was better than "Roy" and whatever fat sam was going to bring to the table.

Not sure if he peaked too soon or the luck of the draws.

He's definitely gone backwards and more fear of losing , with the early success. Gone from playing a low block against the likes of France /Belgium to playing this way against every opponent.

Without the ball not too bad but it fucking knackers you out. Then no clue when we had the ball apart from 40 mins against the Dutch.

See ya Gareth.

[cassius]

He's clearly ultra detailed, very thoughtful and he's had a material impact on results and expectations.

Ultimately I think he over analysed what it took to be a winning international team and it resulted in safety first, moment-driven football that only gets you so far.

I think we'll be looking back on his reign as missed opportunities but very fondly as he's brought a connection between the team and England fans that hasn't really existed since the 90s.

[AjaxAndy]

He's clearly ultra detailed, very thoughtful and he's had a material impact on results and expectations.

Ultimately I think he over analysed what it took to be a winning international team and it resulted in safety first, moment-driven football that only gets you so far.

I think we'll be looking back on his reign as missed opportunities but very fondly as he's brought a connection between the team and England fans that hasn't really existed since the 90s.

Yep providing he leaves now, if he stays I think he'll find the respect and overall positivity to his reign will turn quite quickly for the worst.

[Free Agent]

He left

[Jamokachi]

Gibraltar FA have made an official complaint about this

[TheRam]

Winners- France
Runners up- Germany
Dark horses- Austria
Underachievers- Spain
Top scorer- Mbappe
Player of the tournament- musiala
Breakout player- if he plays Joao Neves will blow people away. Outside of that Guehi to prove he can step up a level.
Weird thing to happen- Flare related injury to a persons genitalia.

Lol shite.

[TheRam]

Winners: Spain

Dark horse: Turkiye, Serbia not a bad call either.

Top scorer: Lukaku, provided Trossard and De Bruyne don't score too many themselves.

Best player: Rodri (boring)

Best young talent: Wirtz

Disaster class: if this is a measure of performance vs expectation then I think England... Favourites tag already seems to look heavy. Sorry gang. (Unless Branthwaite is drafted in due to injury to help save the day)

Suprise packets: Poland
Super sub: Guler
Gloveman: Donnarumma

Well played

Three bang on, and I’ll give you wirtz as well.

[Cods]

Well played

Three bang on, and I’ll give you wirtz as well.

Cheers Ram. Impressed with the Austria dark horse call myself, they were unlucky but played some great footy.